Ten pin bowling tips?
Discussion
I love a good go at ten pin bowling, but as there's a team in my local town, I'd like to improve my game.
I can normally get 120-154(max) points, a few strikes and half strikes per game, but I want to get nearer to 200.
I've been told that my technique is wierd, big runup, and bowl dead straight with no curve. It's odd, but it works for me! I can usually guarantee to hit the final pin to get a spare.
Any tips on doing the curvy ball, technique, etc?
I can normally get 120-154(max) points, a few strikes and half strikes per game, but I want to get nearer to 200.
I've been told that my technique is wierd, big runup, and bowl dead straight with no curve. It's odd, but it works for me! I can usually guarantee to hit the final pin to get a spare.
Any tips on doing the curvy ball, technique, etc?
bigTee said:
aim for the arrows painted on the lane floor, not the pins!
Oddly I aim where the dots are near my feet! I think that's why I bowl straight.Look at pin, trace back to the dots. Bowl dead straight from that point.
I'll be getting some practice in tonight before Thursday, when a guy's offered to show me the ropes (in Italian
)crofty1984 said:
bigTee said:
aim for the arrows painted on the lane floor, not the pins!
Oddly I aim where the dots are near my feet! I think that's why I bowl straight.Look at pin, trace back to the dots. Bowl dead straight from that point.
I'll be getting some practice in tonight before Thursday, when a guy's offered to show me the ropes (in Italian
)Make sure your ball isn't too heavy. Too many blokes try to be macho and get the biggest ball!!!
I'm bowling 15lb with a 200 average & get the ball to react by bowling with my centre digit in a hole only.
Approach the lane with your ball held above your bowling hand & supported by your free hand, with finger engaged, cock a leg as normal then put in a spin aimed slightly towards the gutter on release.
Many pro's use one finger too & it's fairly easy to pick up, a little bit of practice & you'll be striking in no time.
Approach the lane with your ball held above your bowling hand & supported by your free hand, with finger engaged, cock a leg as normal then put in a spin aimed slightly towards the gutter on release.
Many pro's use one finger too & it's fairly easy to pick up, a little bit of practice & you'll be striking in no time.
Stickers said:
Many pro's use one finger too & it's fairly easy to pick up, a little bit of practice & you'll be striking in no time.
Hmmm, not so sure about that... at all... in fact, no - I'll be honest, what a crock of s
te!Watch any decent bowler, and theres generally some on $ky - think the AMF masters is on at the mo.. There's a very very small number of guys that bowl without putting a thumb in the ball... NONE bowl with just one finger...
The worst thing beginners do is release the ball with their hand 'at the top' of the ball..
To make a ball turn, you MUST have your hand behind the ball ( like you would with a crown green ball...), this way your fingers come out the ball last, allowing you to put spin on the ball.
Don't forget that all bowling balls have a weight block inside them, so that when you have holes drilled in it you don't 'unbalance' the ball.... having said that you are allowed to have up to an ounce of imbalance to help the ball turn, so anyone who uses their own ball will have an advantage as their ball should be balanced for them.
PS... having been lucky enough to represent Great Britain at tenpin bowling and also being a certified B.T.B.A ( british tenpin bowling association ) instructor, I do have an idea of what I'm talking about..
'Tis a shame as I have just had a clear-out and have thrown out all my old books/videos on bowling technique.
Best I can suggest is to go along and watch a league match or two and, watch how they bowl; their approach and release of the ball being the key factors.
A three step, or five step approach being the ideal approach. In a five step approach one should start with most of their weight being on the right foot (for a right-handed person).
Watch how they hold the ball before setting off on the approach. This should be at waist level and to the side of ones hip with knees slightly bent. Then a slight push-away of the ball as you take the first step. Now let the weight of the ball swing in a pendulum motion, do not try to power the ball, let the weight of the ball do all the work.
With the first ball one should always start off from the same position. Look at the dots on the approach, as this will be your guide as to where to stand for your first shot.
Most good bowlers will use the arrow marks some fifteen foot down the lane as their target. Some will bowl directly at the pins, but for the second shot (if you didn't get a strike with the first ball) you will really need to work out how many arrows over you need to aim the ball to get the spare (knock the remainder down).
The best way to learn is to join a league, preferably a handicap league. That way, other bowlers will give you tips on how to improve your game and you will learn while still having fun bowling.
Best I can suggest is to go along and watch a league match or two and, watch how they bowl; their approach and release of the ball being the key factors.
A three step, or five step approach being the ideal approach. In a five step approach one should start with most of their weight being on the right foot (for a right-handed person).
Watch how they hold the ball before setting off on the approach. This should be at waist level and to the side of ones hip with knees slightly bent. Then a slight push-away of the ball as you take the first step. Now let the weight of the ball swing in a pendulum motion, do not try to power the ball, let the weight of the ball do all the work.
With the first ball one should always start off from the same position. Look at the dots on the approach, as this will be your guide as to where to stand for your first shot.
Most good bowlers will use the arrow marks some fifteen foot down the lane as their target. Some will bowl directly at the pins, but for the second shot (if you didn't get a strike with the first ball) you will really need to work out how many arrows over you need to aim the ball to get the spare (knock the remainder down).
The best way to learn is to join a league, preferably a handicap league. That way, other bowlers will give you tips on how to improve your game and you will learn while still having fun bowling.
Fork in hell said:
PS... having been lucky enough to represent Great Britain at tenpin bowling and also being a certified B.T.B.A ( british tenpin bowling association ) instructor, I do have an idea of what I'm talking about..
You must have met John Williams then. 
ETA fix my bad quoting.
Edited by robinhood21 on Tuesday 14th July 12:24
Fork in hell said:
Stickers said:
Many pro's use one finger too & it's fairly easy to pick up, a little bit of practice & you'll be striking in no time.
Hmmm, not so sure about that... at all... in fact, no - I'll be honest, what a crock of ste!PS... having been lucky enough to represent Great Britain at tenpin bowling and also being a certified B.T.B.A ( british tenpin bowling association ) instructor, I do have an idea of what I'm talking about..
Yesterday with my 8 year old:
robinhood21 said:
Fork in hell said:
PS... having been lucky enough to represent Great Britain at tenpin bowling and also being a certified B.T.B.A ( british tenpin bowling association ) instructor, I do have an idea of what I'm talking about..
You must have met John Williams then. ETA fix my bad quoting.
Edited by robinhood21 on Tuesday 14th July 12:24
Are you from nottingham at all? or is your username nothing to do with where you are?
I bowled for maybe 25 years at Ilkeston and occasionaly at notts in the friday doubles....
crofty1984 said:
Any tips on doing the curvy ball, technique, etc?
only way you are going to do that properly is buy yourself a reactive ball and get it drilled finger tip. As for bowling straight with a conventional ball, you need to aim so that the ball is hitting at an angle the pocket between the 1 and 3 pins (assuming you are right handed). Best way to do that with a straight ball is not to stand perpendicular to the pins, but at to turn your body slightly to the left so you bowl the ball at an agle towards the pocketI was in the same position as you a while back and really struggled to get my average up, to be honest you’ll struggle to average 200 bowling straight as you’re more likely to split. I’ve bowled straight on leagues for 5 years and the best my average ever achieved was 170, and I’ve only clocked up about eight 200+ games (personal best is 228) in that time. My only advice is practice practice and more practice and develop a style that works for you! I’ve seen some very good bowlers with very unconventional bowling styles. If you’re intending to take it up seriously (I only bowl for fun) then there are some pro’s who run intensive courses.
One question, I take it you have you own ball and shoes? If not then that is the easiest way to improve your game.
One question, I take it you have you own ball and shoes? If not then that is the easiest way to improve your game.
Fork in hell said:
Stickers said:
Many pro's use one finger too & it's fairly easy to pick up, a little bit of practice & you'll be striking in no time.
Hmmm, not so sure about that... at all... in fact, no - I'll be honest, what a crock of ste!
Fork in hell said:
I first met John in 1981 fella, when i was a junior.... he'll know me!
Are you from nottingham at all? or is your username nothing to do with where you are?
I bowled for maybe 25 years at Ilkeston and occasionaly at notts in the friday doubles....
No, am from London. Bowled mainly at Tottenham and Enfield (Lloyds Lanes) in umpteen leagues. Sadly, both now gone.Are you from nottingham at all? or is your username nothing to do with where you are?
I bowled for maybe 25 years at Ilkeston and occasionaly at notts in the friday doubles....
Talking of gone; I think John passed away a while ago.
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